This holiday season, kids will be getting a two-week reprieve from school. That means either two weeks of setting up play dates and activities to keep them occupied--or you can opt to sign your kids up for a holiday camp. If you're interested in the latter, we've compiled a few options for you.

And for other fun activities during the break, check out our Long Island Events Calendar and Holiday Fun Guide.

While December is usually about counting down to Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza and other winter festivities, in 2015 we also have a countdown to a movie, and this Friday night it premieres. If you haven’t yet scored tickets to Stars Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (or perhaps plan to wait for the crowds to subside), the next best way to mark this monumental occasional (laugh, but in my house it is a huge deal) is downtown in Pershing Square, where $10 gets you a lightsaber and a spot on one of two teams: Sith or Jedi. 

Meanwhile, with only eleven days left until Christmas, there are plenty of ways to anticipate the season this week: Now is the time to pick up those last minute toys or give your kids face time with Santa Claus. Boats continue to deck their decks with boughs of holly and lights, parading all around the Southland. And the annual One Voice event at Santa Monica Airport is a great way for families to aid those whose holidays are limited by financial constraints.

There is a dizzying array of diversions in Los Angeles this holiday season. Be sure to peruse our Daily Events Calendar, December GoList and Holiday Guide.

It’s hard to believe winter’s around the corner with this almost-balmy December weather. Take advantage of this unseasonably mild late-fall with some outdoor fun. Get outside for holiday festivities that include Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights, Manalapan's Holiday Concert & Christmas Tree Lighting and Red Bank’s Twelve Days of Christmas Holiday Hunt. Outdoor nature activities are also in the spotlight with Growing in the Garden and Winter Solstice Celebration. And don’t forget to check out our Event Calendar for even more options!

Get into the holiday spirit this week by looking at holiday lights, decorating a gingerbread house and seeing Santa and his reindeer. You can find even more seasonal fun in our Holiday Guide.

For even more activities, check out our Long Island Events Calendar, which is updated daily. You can also get the best events of the week sent directly to your inbox each week if you sign up for our newsletter.

There seem to be two main topics on the minds of Westchester families this week: the holidays and Episode VII.

Gear up for the big premiere of the new Star Wars film with a marathon of the first six installments. This takes place in the midst of the holiday hubbub, which includes performances, crafting and other holiday fun. For a lively change of pace, remember to pose answers in the form of a question at Holiday Jeopardy or add depth to your wintry crafting at 3D Paper Snowflakes. 

These are just a few of our many finds. For more, read on—then visit our Event Calendar for numerous events happening every day of the week! 

'Tis the season for road trips, long-haul flights and other “Mom, I’m bored!” moments. You can be prepared with this stage-by-stage guide to fun, downloadable kid entertainment that won’t give you a headache or send you into a spiral of screen-time inspired parental guilt.

We’ve skipped the mental junk food in favor of TV shows for each age range that offer up some educational value, but that your kids still will love to watch. And we’ve ensured that all of these shows are fully downloadable so you don’t have to worry about spotty streaming access during your holiday travel.

It's a match made under the big top: If ever two creative forces were meant for each other, Cirque du Soleil and Steampunk must be the two—and KURIOS is the show that brings them together. All top hats, goggles, and time-traveling trampolines, the so-much-more-than circus comes swinging and spinning into DTLA to play its first engagement at Dodger Stadium. KURIOS is as memorable and innovative as we have come to expect from the Canadian troupe, and then some. Having seen a few Cirque productions before, I admit I didn't necessarily expect that we could be astonished again; I was looking forward to seeing the show, of course, and reporting on its family-friendly factor, but I figured there are only so many ways to bend, hang, and flip in fancy outfits. As it turns out, I was wrong; there is an infinite number of ways, and Cirque du Soleil never gets tired of finding them.

How much longer until Christmas? is the question posed to many parents throughout the Delaware Valley around this time of year. Children are full of anticipation, yet parents are weary from holiday preparations such as card sending, gift wrapping, and elf-moving. (How many times have you forgotten to move your elf so far?)

Make your life a little easier by keeping the kids busy with activities from our Events Calendar. This week does not disappoint. Check out Star Wars Night at Franklin Square. Make Crafts in the Playhouse at Smith Memorial Playground. Take a train ride on New Hope & Ivyland Railroad or stop by the Delaware Art Museum to see The Muppet Christmas Carol at Popcorn & Pictures.

Continue reading for our top picks for the week ahead but browse the entire calendar to view all of the options. To narrow the search, select age range, area, and type. Be sure to check out the free events on our calendar too! Have a great week.